Page 72 of Church Girl
And on top of her order, Gregory says, “We can talk when we all get back to the hotel.”
“Shut. Up.”
The room falls quiet, the clicking on of the central heating is like one of those loud cannon firecrackers the neighborhood kids set off every Fourth of July.
My parents and Gregory gape at me, and my chest heaves, nerves attacking me. But satisfaction and...power sings in my veins, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a prettier song.
I turn to Tamara, who’s wearing a smirk though her gaze shines with something like...pride?
“Not you, Tamara.”
“I wouldn’t even care if that was directed toward me, babe. You got it.”
“I know you’re not talking to us like that.”
“Aaliyah Renee Montgomery, I raised you better than this!”
“This is unacceptable.”
When Daddy’s, Mom’s and Gregory’s shocked and highly offended voices trip over one another, I hold up both hands, and miraculously, they all go quiet.
Didn’t expect that.
I might need to check Tamara’s bottles of water to see if they’ve changed into wine since it seems to be a night for miracles.
“Thank you.” I lower my arms. Though there’s still a tiny part of me that wants to cower under those heated glares, I refuse. That part is going to have to grow up like the rest of me. “Now, Daddy, Mommy, I love you, and let me apologize for running away. I should’ve had enough courage and integrity to sit you both down and tell you how I was feeling and what was going on with me.”
“Yes, you should’ve,” my father agrees with a soft grunt. “Then we could’ve talked past normal wedding-day jitters.”
“Or me,” Gregory interjects. “After all, we are to be husband and wife—”
“Gregory, I’ll get to you. And, Daddy, I’m not finished. While I’m sorry forhowI did it, I don’t regretdoingit. This may be hard for you to hear, but I’m not going back to Parsons. Not now, and not anytime in the near future. For now, my life is here in Chicago.”
“Sweetheart, you can’t mean that.” Mom steps forward, her hand outstretched toward me. “Parsons is home. You’ve been here just a few weeks. I get it may seem shiny and new, but home is what you know, where you have family.”
“I have family here, too. Family and a best friend.” I glance at Tamara, and she smiles at me, nodding. “Just because Alabama is home for you doesn’t mean it’s enough for me. Or even what I wanted for my future. Have you even stopped to ask yourselves why I chose Chicago?”
Daddy humphs. “Your cousin. No doubt she convinced you to do this foolishness.”
I give a small, disbelieving chuckle. “You still refuse to listen, to see me as a grown woman instead of the girl you’ve tried to keep me. Leaving wasmydecision. I went to Tamara and begged her to take me with her. You think you corner the market on family, but my cousin offered me a place to live, refusing any money. My cousin put clothes on my back and supports me without expecting anything in return. That’s family. That’s love. But you’re so judgmental, so critical, that you can’t see past your own plans, expectations and standards formylife. You can’t even thank her.”
I inhale a deep breath, and for once, none of them say anything to interject. Knowing that won’t last long, I continue. “Like I asked, have you stopped to consider why I chose here? It’s because I was accepted into the University of Chicago art program and received a partial scholarship.”
“College? Art?” My father balks, and nope, that precious judgment-free zone didn’t last long at all. “Aaliyah, you went to college and got a practical degree that will serve you in life. Why are you wasting those people’s money on a degree you can do nothing with?”
“And why is this the first we’re hearing about it?” my mother adds. “You never said anything about wanting to further your education.”
“I told you weeks ago, Mom. I told you when I ran out of that church,” I say, voice low, solemn. “It’s not my fault you didn’t listen. That you’re still not listening. Daddy, I got that associate’s because it’s what you wanted, not me. I said yes to Gregory’s proposal because it’s what you intended for me, not what I desired for myself. This one time, I made my own choices. Iammaking those choices. I don’t care if the only job opportunity I have is drawing on a paper menu at Denny’s, it’s my dream. My decisions. My life. And I’m through living it for everyone else.”
Turning to Gregory while my parents digest that, I smile. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you by running out on the wedding.” I refuse to call itourwedding because it was never mine. “I should’ve come to you long before then and told you that I didn’t love you the way you deserve, and I have no desire to be anyone’s first lady. Honestly, I shouldn’t have accepted your proposal in the first place. That said...” I narrow my eyes on him. “Let me make this abundantly clear right now. I am not and will never be marrying you. I’m not your fiancé, and to think that I still am is bordering on delusional. Move on and do better than pursuing a woman who ran out on you. I sincerely hope you find a woman you love who will be proud to stand by your side.”
His lips part then snap closed, his face contorting into an insulted mask.
“Aht aht.” Tamara holds up her hand, stopping anything about to come out of his mouth. “She said what she said, and we don’t need an epilogue. Move around.” She shoos him with a flick of her fingers.
Smothering an inappropriate snort, I return my attention to my parents. Would I love for us to part on terms where we understood and accepted each other? God, yes. But one glance at my father’s sternly set expression, and I know that’s not happening. And that’s okay. The little girl inside me who still seeks her father’s approval is hurt, but the grown, capable and independent woman who’s standing in front of him will be fine.
“When you find the mind you’ve apparently lost between Alabama and here, you know where to find us,” he says. “Let’s go, Georgia.” He immediately turns and strides for the front door, Gregory on his heels.
